BandungBergerak.id – Workplace accidents are a serious issue that continues to rise in Indonesia. In 2022, the number of work accident cases in Indonesia reached 297,725 cases. The total claims paid for work accidents that year amounted to IDR 2.39 trillion (Indonesia Safety Factors). In 2023, a total of 370,747 workplace accident cases were recorded, with approximately 93.83% involving BPJS Employment participants. Meanwhile, from January to May 2024, 162,327 cases have already been recorded, with 91.83% involving BPJS Employment participants. These figures indicate that workplace safety remains a major challenge in Indonesia. The increasing number of workplace accidents needs to be thoroughly analyzed to understand the causes, impacts, and steps that can be taken to reduce workplace accident rates in the future.

Industrial and manufacturing workplace accidents also become one of major concerns. Despite all the advancements in technology, workplace accidents in these settings are inevitable. Even with automation and improved safety protocols, human errors, equipment failures, and poor safety measures continue to put workers at risk. Take, for example, the recent explosion at the Tsingshan Holding Group’s steel plant in Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on October 25, 2024. The blast tragically claimed one life and left another worker injured. This wasn’t an isolated incident—IMIP, the world’s largest nickel processing site, has already reported nine fatalities in 2024 alone. Since 2015, Indonesian nickel facilities have seen 114 accident-related deaths, with nearly half occurring at IMIP. Reports suggest that safety standards are lacking, and many workers face dangerous conditions daily. Unfortunately, this isn’t new—industries like mining, railways, and mills have historically been some of the most dangerous workplaces, with workers, including children, exposed to life-threatening risks with little protection. Therefore, strategies to deal with these issues need to be formulated to hinder higher risks.

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Human Error or Automation Negligence?

In 2019, a fatal accident at a manufacturing plant in Indonesia highlighted the dangers of human error and equipment failure. At a textile factory in West Java, a worker was performing maintenance on an industrial weaving machine when an unexpected malfunction occurred—a misconfigured reset caused the machine to restart suddenly. Compounding the issue, a loose bolt that had been overlooked during previous inspections had weakened a crucial component. When the motor jammed, the unstable structure gave way, trapping the worker beneath it. Investigators later found that the absence of protective barriers, insufficient maintenance checks, and rushed safety protocols all played a role—shortcomings that could have been avoided with proper precautions.

Besides human error, workplace accidents happen because of emerging technologies. Automation and robotics are designed to reduce workplace accidents by minimizing human involvement in hazardous tasks. Ironically, while they aim to improve safety, they also introduce new risks of their own. In the U.S., between 1992 and 2015, there were 61 recorded deaths linked to robots in workplaces. With the rise of collaborative robots (cobots) working alongside humans without physical barriers, companies now need to rethink safety protocols to prevent accidental injuries. Other emerging technologies, like robotic exoskeletons and drones, are also introducing new challenges—while they can improve efficiency, they may also increase risks like collisions or excessive strain on workers.  

The good news is there are ways to reduce these dangers. Companies must prioritize safety by conducting thorough risk assessments before implementing new technology. For example, at an automotive plant in Indonesia, a safety evaluation was carried out before launching a robotic assembly line. During the assessment, engineers identified a flaw in the robotic arm’s movement, which could have struck a worker if they entered a specific zone.

As a result, the company reprogrammed the robot, installed motion sensors, and added protective barriers. Months later, a worker accidentally stepped too close to the restricted area, but instead of a tragic accident, the sensors detected movement and shut the machine down instantly, preventing serious injury. This incident underscores the importance of regular maintenance, proper training, and improved safety protocols. After all, no job is worth a life.

Strategies for Creating a Safe Workplace

Determining the safest workplaces globally involves analyzing occupational fatality rates, which measure work-related deaths per 100,000 workers. According to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), several countries stand out for their low fatality rates, indicating safer work environments. Panama, for example, reports an occupational fatality rate of 0.2 per 100,000 workers, while El Salvador has an even lower rate of 0.1 per 100,000. The United Kingdom also maintains one of the lowest rates in Europe, with a standardized fatality rate of 0.61 per 100,000 workers in 2018.  

El Salvador’s industrial sector has made workplace safety a top priority by enforcing strict regulations, investing in worker training, and adopting modern technology. Companies follow labor laws set by the Ministry of Labor and international standards like ISO 45001 to keep employees safe. Workers receive regular training and the right protective gear to prevent accidents. Many factories now use automation, smart sensors, and security systems to minimize risks. Emergency drills and onsite medical teams help ensure quick responses when needed. Plus, with improved national security, workplaces have become safer overall.

Conclusion

Basically, every company has made efforts for workplace safety. But does every Human Resource also have built awareness and responsibility for their own safety? Have they really understood and implemented work safety that might have been trained by the company? The increasing cases of workplace accidents in Indonesia since 2022 indicate that workplace safety remains a significant issue requiring serious attention. Human factors, equipment, and the work environment contribute substantially to the high accident rate. The impacts are felt not only by workers and companies but also by the national economy. Therefore, collaborative efforts between the government, companies, and workers are essential in implementing better workplace safety standards to reduce workplace accident rates and to keep Indonesia as a safe place to work in the future.